T20 World Cup: India's winning streak ends in humiliation; lose by 76 runs to South Africa
Times of India
by SAHIL MALHOTRAFebruary 22, 2026
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India's T20 World Cup campaign suffered a devastating blow as they were comprehensively defeated by South Africa in their opening Super Eight match in Ahmedabad. Chasing a target of 188 runs, India's batting line-up failed to deliver, succumbing to the pressure and falling short by 76 runs. The loss marked the end of their impressive 12-match unbeaten streak in T20 World Cup matches since winning the title in 2024.
The match was a stark contrast between South Africa's disciplined approach and India's lack of application. Despite a strong start with the ball, including contributions from Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, India struggled to contain South Africa's middle-order partnership of David Miller and Dewald Brevis, who rebuilt their innings effectively after an initial wicket-filled Powerplay. The Proteas' bowlers, led by Marco Jansen, maintained control throughout the chase, exposing India's vulnerabilities under pressure.
India's batting lineup, which had been so dominant in previous matches, showed signs of cracks during the group stages but still managed to get the job done. However, the inability to convert potential into results on Sunday was a glaring issue. Key players like Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma struggled with poor shot selection and
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/22/2026